Musical Theatre students, take note. Here is a classic song sung in the classic style and impeccable throughout. For my money, this telecast of KISS ME KATE with Alfred Drake and Patricia Morrison sets the standard from which all other versions of KISS ME KATE must be evaluated.
Listen to the original broadway cast album on Columbia or now Masterworks Broadway. Far better performance than this, but this one isn't bad. The only comparison is an even better version by Fred Drake.
Incredibly brilliant performance by Drake. Much better than Ben Davis's boring rendition. Amazing that this is the same actor who debuted the role of "Curley" in the original Broadway production of Oklahoma! An Italian-American it's wonderful to listen to him toss out city names like Taormina, Firenze, Pontivecchio, etc because you know he said them perfectly.
"This dude" turned down a contract with the Metropolitan Opera and originated the male lead roles in OKLAHOMA!, KISMET and KISS ME, KATE before amplification was used in Broadway theaters. This was a TV performance of a shortened version of KISS ME, KATE broadcast live during labor unrest in the television industry.
Alfred was my uncle, and I loved him dearly. But you are incorrect; he was not offered a Met Opera contract. In fact he was eliminated during the second round of the Auditions of the Air. His phenomenal stage presence and great voice made him a great Broadway star.
@@naneliot9029 tell more about your uncleva great singer and actor i have many of his fifties tv performances Naughty Marietta with Patrice Munsell The Yeamon of the guard with Barbara Cook and this Kiss Me Kate with, Patrícia Morrison. I,also have the Kiss Me Kate 1948 OBC and a video when he sings operetas with Barbara Cook.What a great performer he was!
There will never be another talent like Alfred Drake on Broadway, but then, never say never.
Musical Theatre students, take note. Here is a classic song sung in the classic style and impeccable throughout. For my money, this telecast of KISS ME KATE with Alfred Drake and Patricia Morrison sets the standard from which all other versions of KISS ME KATE must be evaluated.
Listen to the original broadway cast album on Columbia or now Masterworks Broadway. Far better performance than this, but this one isn't bad. The only comparison is an even better version by Fred Drake.
I agree But he was Alfred Drake
Incredibly brilliant performance by Drake. Much better than Ben Davis's boring rendition. Amazing that this is the same actor who debuted the role of "Curley" in the original Broadway production of Oklahoma! An Italian-American it's wonderful to listen to him toss out city names like Taormina, Firenze, Pontivecchio, etc because you know he said them perfectly.
God... remember when Broadway had people who could actually SING?
Jack Klugman playing one of the gangsters.
Why is he wearing only one boot?… you know what I mean.
These are not the original Robert Russell Bennett orchestrations. The originals are far better.
this dude is all about "park and bark."
I respectfully disagree. He was a consummate stage animal, but here his movement was inhibited by the primitive TV cameras.
"This dude" turned down a contract with the Metropolitan Opera and originated the male lead roles in OKLAHOMA!, KISMET and KISS ME, KATE before amplification was used in Broadway theaters. This was a TV performance of a shortened version of KISS ME, KATE broadcast live during labor unrest in the television industry.
Alfred was my uncle, and I loved him dearly. But you are incorrect; he was not offered a Met Opera contract. In fact he was eliminated during the second round of the Auditions of the Air. His phenomenal stage presence and great voice made him a great Broadway star.
Thank you for the correction.
@@naneliot9029 tell more about your uncleva great singer and actor i have many of his fifties tv performances Naughty Marietta with Patrice Munsell The Yeamon of the guard with Barbara Cook and this Kiss Me Kate with, Patrícia Morrison. I,also have the Kiss Me Kate 1948 OBC and a video when he sings operetas with Barbara Cook.What a great performer he was!